What is Trauma?

The American Trauma Society defines trauma as an injury by a physical force. More often, trauma is the consequence of motor vehicle crashes, falls, drowning, gunshots, fires, and burns, stabbings, or blunt assaults.

The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT)explains trauma as a bodily injury that may encompass a large range of severity. The current view of trauma, according to the committee, has focused primarily on those injuries severe enough to cause death or disability. The ACSCOT provides national leadership with the commitment that trauma is a surgical disease that demands surgical leadership in the planning, development, and maintenance of a Trauma System.

The Michigan Trauma Coalition, a voluntary nonprofit organization, defines major trauma as including internal injuries to organs, head and spinal injuries, and other serious injuries that can result in death, loss of a limb, or permanent disability.  MTC Membership is comprised of American College of Surgeon (ACS) verified Level I, II, and III trauma centers, along with a number of trauma centers currently seeking ACS verification.

Officers

Chair:
Kathy Kempf RN
Trauma Program Manager
Oakwood Medical Center-Southshore
Trenton,

Co-Chair:
Deb Falkenberg, RN
Trauma Program Manager  Covenant Health Care Saginaw, MI
Secretary:
Diana Ropele, RN, MSN, CCRN
Trauma Program Nurse Manager
Helen DeVos Children’s  Hospital
Grand Rapids, MI

Treasurer:
Todd Nickoles, RN, BSN, CCRN, CEN
Trauma Coordinator
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Administrative Assistant:

Sue Levandoski

Sub-Committee Chairs:

MTNC Chair:
Joann Burrington, RN, BSN, MBA
Trauma Program Manager
POH Medical Center
Pontiac, Mi

MTRC Chair:
Cecelia Roiter, RHIT, CSTR, CAISS
Trauma Registrar
Hurley Medical Center

Pediatric Chair:
Diana Ropele, RN, MSN, CCRN
Trauma Program Nurse Manager
Helen DeVos Children’s  Hospital
Grand Rapids, MI